Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he does not know whether Sunday's World Cup final will be Lionel Messi's last match for the national team. The 35-year-old forward has long hinted that this tournament could be his final shot at football's biggest prize, but Scaloni stopped short of confirming any retirement plans.
Scaloni's cautious response
When asked directly if the final against France marks the end of Messi's international career, Scaloni replied: “I don’t know if it’s his last game.” The coach added that the team is focused entirely on the match itself, not on what comes after. “We are only thinking about the final,” he said.
Messi's World Cup journey
Messi, widely considered one of the greatest players ever, has played in five World Cups. He led Argentina to the final in 2014, where they lost to Germany, and now has a second chance at the trophy. At 35, he is the oldest player on the squad and has spoken in the past about the physical toll of top-level football.
What's at stake on Sunday
Argentina faces defending champion France in the final at Lusail Stadium. A win would give Messi his first World Cup title and cement his legacy. A loss would likely fuel more questions about his future. Scaloni's uncertainty leaves the door open for Messi to continue, but the coach made clear that the decision belongs to the player.
“He has earned the right to decide his own future,” Scaloni said. “We are just happy to have him with us for this match.”
The final kicks off at 6 p.m. local time Sunday. After that, Messi will have to answer the question Scaloni wouldn't.
